Philosophy of Ministry: Statement #6

By Doug Turner

"Self-organizing 'spiritual-design' based covenanted ministry teams are the norm at Central (both grass roots and leader initiated)." (PoM)

Now that's a mouthful. Let's try to unpack it to see what it means.

Spiritual-Design Based - We've heard a lot about spiritual gifts in recent months, and about our own "spiritual design" - how God has uniquely made and equipped each of us to serve Him. If we're serious about doing ministry, and we recognize God's hand in making and molding each of us uniquely, we ought to be looking for ways to serve Him where we are, and with what He's given us.

Spiritual gifts are given to each of us to serve the body. (Ephesians 4:12 ...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...)

As a church we need to recognize that God has given (and will continue to give) us the gifts and abilities to serve Him as He calls us to serve. Our job is simply to respond to His call, and to the needs surrounding each of us.

Self Organizing - We recognize that God speaks and directs all of us to serve Him. Ideas and a sense of calling for ministry come from many places - not just from pastors and leaders in the church. We want to release, encourage and support ministry freely, as God directs people within the framework of Central's own mission statement. We want to provide a structure that encourages ministry in new and established areas, to involve more people in what God is doing all around us. If you have an idea for ministry, or sense God tugging at you to join with others in a ministry, we want to help you and encourage you.

Covenanted Ministry Teams - A ministry team is simply a group of believers organized around a shared vision and sense of call for a particular need and purpose. It may be a short term need or it may be continual. The members of the team covenant to work together, support each other and serve those they are ministering to in accordance with a simple "charter" defining the parameters of the particular ministry.

For more information, or to find out more about ministry teams, get in touch with one of the pastors, the Church Office, Kathy Vaselkiv or me, and we'll be glad to answer your questions. (or see Central's New "Philosophy of Ministry")